NEWS

LEWISTON, ME – At a press conference today at the Lamey Wellehan location in Auburn, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced his support for the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY) Act, paid family and medical leave legislation that underscores the importance of comprehensive family leave policies to support working parents and family caregivers in Maine. Specifically, the bill would create a social insurance program to provide up to 12 weeks of gender neutral paid family and medical leave for all private-sector members of the American workforce who have sufficient work history. Senator King was joined by Jim Wellehan, President of Lamey Wellehan Shoes and Eliza Townsend, Executive Director of the Maine Women’s Lobby.“People in Maine shouldn’t have to choose between making an honest living and caring for their family, whether it’s supporting an aging parent, a sick relative, or a newborn child,” Senator King said. “People don’t know when a family emergency might strike, and right now there is just a patchwork of family leave coverage depending on the state or the employer. This bill will help families maintain a stable income during trying times, and strengthen employers’ abilities to retain their hardworking employees.”